France and Poland are the biggest obstacles to Ukraine's accession to the EU

There is currently no consensus within the European Union on the number of accession negotiation chapters that Ukraine will be able to open at the summit in June. France and Poland are the main opponents of rapid progress, proposing to limit the opening to just the “Foundations” cluster instead of all six, as Kyiv is seeking. 

This is reported by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.

Paris’s position stems from concerns that Ukraine’s rapid European integration will negatively impact the 2027 presidential election campaign due to skepticism from populists. At the same time, Warsaw and other Eastern European countries are concerned about the future redistribution of agricultural subsidies and cohesion funds, which Ukraine could draw to itself after accession. Despite support from the Baltic states and the European Commission, most EU members insist on strict adherence to the process without any concessions.

The most likely scenario for the June summit is considered to be the opening of only the block of fundamental issues concerning the judicial system and human rights. It is expected that other areas, in particular internal markets and external relations, will be opened gradually over the next year during the presidencies of Ireland and Lithuania. The question of Hungary’s final position also remains open, adding uncertainty to the outcomes of the Cyprus presidency.